Game



n.- E. FLAJHANS.

'GAME.

I APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25, {921;- 1,404,10 Patented Jan. 17,1922

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B E B H I B I II n g E 5 a El B m E B K! /6' a a I n u a u a u u a a u as 7 7 7 7 7 ATTORNEY WITNBS:

R. E. FLAJHANS.

GAME.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-25.1921.

Patented Jan. 17,1922;

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GAME. I APPLICATION FILED JAN- 25.!921.

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- Patented Jan; 17, 1922.

UNITED STATES RUSSELL E. FLAJQHANS, 0F ANGOLA, INDIANA.

GAME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 17, 1922.

Application filed January 25. 1921. Serial No. 439,726.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RUssELL E. FLAJ- sHANs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Angola, in the county of Steuben and State of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Games, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a game apparatus and has for an object the'prOVision of a game which is both amusing and instructive, the playing of the game requiring considerable thought and study, with the result depending upon the skillful manipulation and positioning of the various pieces used in playing the game.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a game in which a battle is simulated, the players endeavoring to outwit one another during the arious moves of the game, so as to capture or block their opponents and thus win the game.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawingsrand pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of the game board.

Figure 2 is a like view showing the pieces positioned upon. the board.

Figures 8. 4t, 5 and 6 are plan views showing the various character of the red pieces 7 used in the game.

printed or otherwise designated thereon a battle field 16. This battle field is of a distinguishing color, for example orange, as shown and has arranged along its longitudi- .nal center forts 17, the latter being spaced apart and located in a straight line. Located upon one side of the battle field is a players territory which includes a number of pits 18. These pits are preferably formed of a series of depressions equidistantly spaced and of a distinguishing color from the battle field, for example red, while upon the opposite side of the battle field is a similar territory 19 colored black. The outer line 20 of each territory provides a home line.

The game is designed to be played by two players and the playing pieces for each player are fifty in number and consist of 35 pieces which shall rank as diagonal pawns and which are indicated at 21: 10 pieces which shall rank as line pawns and which are designated at 22: 4 pieces which shall rank as captains and designated at 23 and one piece 24 having the rank of king. One set of pieces is provided for each player, the pieces of one set being colored red and the pieces of the other set black so as to distinguish them from one another, as the pieces of each player are of similar shape. In addition, there is provided a number of auxiliary pieces shown at 25 and 26 in Figures 11 and 12, these auxiliary pieces being white.

In playing the game, the pieces are first stationed upon the board and the players then cast lots or otherwise determine which shall begin the play, the winner having the choice of playing first or last. Thereafter 5 each player shall alternately station first,

stationing his pieces according to his desire upon his own home territory. The player who stations first shall have the privilege of restationing within his territory any five of his pieces after his opponent finishes stationing. The player who stations second shall move first.

In playing a single move shall consist in moving one piece the distance of one pit. A double move shall consist of moving one piece two pits. A double move need not be made in a straight line. A move and return of the same piece during the some play may not constitute a move. Arplay shall comprise any one of the following:- (1) A double move of one piece followed by a single move of another or vice versa: (2) A single move of each of three pieces: (3) A single move followed by any jump: (4) Any jump (no move shall follow any jump).

Only pieces of exactly the same ranlc may move or take part during the same play. In case a player has but one piece of a certain rank, either a single or double move of this piece shall be held to constitute a. play, but in all other cases a full play must be made. Two pieces may not occupy the same pit at the same time; hence, in making a double move one piece cannot pass over another.

During the game'a piece touched must, if advisable be played, unless previous warning isgiven that it is only to be arranged properly upon its pit. Any move or jump is completed when the'hand is removed from the piece, but the opponent may rule otherwise for any particular instance. A, player making a move contrary to the laws of the game shall thereby forfeit the game. Should a player not play within seven minutes after it comes his turn, time shall be called and he shall play within the next two minutes or by his failure forfeit the game. 1 i

' Upon surrounclingand blocking one or a group of his opponents pieces, the player may give warning, and should not the opponcnt remove the piece or group surrounded within his nextthree places after being Warned, they shall be considered captured and removed from the field. In order to be considered surrounded or blocked,

a piece or any group of pieces must be distanced at least a third pit in any straight line from the next friendly piece, each piece of the-group must be able to move or jump in any direction. A capture by this move shall not be considered a play and after removing the forfeited piece from the field, the capturer shall proceed to make his regular play.

The other method of taking or removing pieces from the board shall be by jump. A piece may be jumped adjacenta backed enemy piece, provided it is itself backed by'a friendly piece or edge of the field in such a manner that it could not be jumped by any piece in the position of the piece which it jumps. It may continue to jump one unbacked enemy piece at a time, in a straight line, until its path is obstructed, butmay not change direction during the jump unless backed at each turn in the same manner as prescribed for the starting place. The king and the captains may both jump and change the direction of the jump without backing and may jump both diagonally and on the lines during the same play. They may also make a single move on the lines and'start jumping diagonally, or make a single move dia onally and start jumping on the lines. Utherwise. no piece shall jump or move in any direction or one in which it might not movein a common play. When a player can jump at the beginning of a play without preliminary move, the pponent may require, but not forbid him to do so.

Whenever a player gains possession of five forts he shall give warning and should the opponentnot recapture or recover at least one of the forts during his next play, he shall by his failure immediately forfeit all his pieces outside of his home territory. Should this number be less than 5, he must make up the number by selecting pieces from within his territory. lhe capturer shall then restation upon his home territory such of his pieces as are outside it, but shall not restation any piece already within said territory. He shall then continue the game by playing next.

Diagonal pawns may move only diagonally forward from pit to pit. They may, however, move one backward and one forward or'vice versa during the same play to effect a double move sideways. 7 Upon reaching the opponents home line they shall become diagonalaces and may then move diagonally in any direction.

Line pawns may move only in'the lines forward or sideways. Upon reaching any pit in the opponents territory they shall become line aces and may then move in any direction upon the lines.

Captain's may move forward,backward or upon the lines, but the same piece may not move byboth methods during the same play, except as specified in the laws for jumps. W hen upon their home territory they may move backward in the samemanner as forward. Upon reaching the opponents home line they shall become captain aces and may be then moved backward at any time.

The king'may move both diagonally and upon the lines in any direction'at any time and during the same play,'if so desired.

territory he shall become king ace and there- "after, if he be captured at any place the capturing pits must also be forfeited and removed from the field at the end of the play.

Upon becoming an ace, a pieceshall be distinguished by being mounted upon plane provided for that purpose. These planes consist of auxiliary pieces and 26 and are white in color and of the same size and shape as the pieces with which they are associated. I p Y A player shall win the game in any of the following ways: (1) By blocking the opponent so that he cannot make any move, thus capturing his entire force (2) By capturing 38 of the opponents pieces: By placing his king upon the opponents home line: or (at) By capturing his opponents king. Should a player at the time of losing his king possess at least five more pieces than.

his opponent and have one or more captains, heshallnot thereby lose the game. but shall withdraw such of his pieces as be within his opponents territory and restation them upon his own territory, but he shall not restation thereon these pieces. He may then designate one of his captains to be king and proceed with the game by playing next.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportions and minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fall Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention What is claimed is l. A game comprising a board arranged to provide a central row of forts, a battle field upon opposite sides of the forts, home territory upon opposite sides of the battle field and a plurality of game pieces of different values representing kings, captains, line pawns and diagonal pawns of distinguishing color.

2. A game comprising a board arranged to provide a central row of spaced forts, a battle field surrounding the forts and extending for an appreciable distance upon opposite sides thereof and being of a distinguishing color, a home territory upon opposite sides of the battle field, said territories differing in color from each other and from the battle field and forts and a plurality of game pieces of different value.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

RUSSELL E. FLAJ'sHANs. 

